[Octm] Fair Test

[George Abshire]

Re: OCTM Board meeting on Saturday, December 6, 2003 and Algebra EOI
response.

Much of the discussion in the OCTM board meeting focused on the ineptness of
algebra students and their parents.  I am not surprised to hear mathematics
teachers verbalize their reasons for the suspected low-test scores and
substandard student performance--this excuse has been used ad nauseam for
ages.  However as it relates to the anticipated release of the Algebra EOI
test scores and the potential OCTM response, maybe those who will be writing
the response might find the ideas, views, and goals of the Fair Test
organization to be useful in helping to construct an informing response that
will generate reflection and dialogue.  This effort might be more productive
at bringing meaningful change to the system, an alternative that might prove
more beneficial than simply blaming the student and encouraging parents to
get involved in their child¹s education.

The web site for Fair Test is:

http://www.fairtest.org/

The National Center for Fair & Open Testing is an advocacy organization
working to end the abuses, misuses and flaws of standardized testing and
ensure that evaluation of students and workers is fair, open, and
educationally sound.

We place special emphasis on eliminating the racial, class, gender, and
cultural barriers to equal opportunity posed by standardized tests, and
preventing their damage to the quality of education. Based on four Goals and
Principles, we provide information, technical assistance and advocacy on a
broad range of testing concerns, focusing on three areas:  K-12, university
admissions, and employment tests.

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